we'll be right back. ♪ >> president barack obama: my hope is that this is going to be the beginning of a fruitful process, where we are able to come to an agreement, that will reduce our deficit. >> we're serious about cutting spending and solving our fiscal dilemma and i believe we can do this and avert the fiscal cliff that is right in front of us today. >> chris: president obama and speaker boehner sounding up beat friday about prospects for cutting a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff and we're back now with the panel. so, after the president and congressional leaders met at the white house, on friday, the rhetoric was reassuring, the question is, is it real? do you get any sense, bob and this is the subject of your new book, that they really do see, are beginning to see a path to a compromise or are they trying to reassure nervous consumers before the christmas holidays and, investors because the stock market is done a thousand points. >> everyone is nervous about this. this is the last chance and the next six weeks could be six weeks that shook the united states if they